A new state-by-state analysis of employee protections reveals a striking truth: your ZIP code may determine your rights at work. According to a comprehensive study by Injured in Florida, workers in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey enjoy some of the strongest protections in the country, while those in Wyoming, Mississippi, and Texas face far fewer rights and legal safeguards.
The report scored all 50 states across 19 factors, including minimum wage, paid leave policies, workplace fatalities, anti-discrimination laws, and union protections. It exposes a deep and persistent divide: states with progressive labor policies are overwhelmingly clustered in the Northeast and on the West Coast, while the lowest-ranking states are mostly concentrated in the South and Mountain West.
New York topped the list with a score of 83.49 out of 100, followed by Connecticut (82.46) and New Jersey (82.06). Each of these states has:
- A minimum wage above $15
- Mandatory paid family and medical leave
- Anti-discrimination protections covering race, gender, and LGBTQ+ identity
- A rejection of “right-to-work” laws that weaken union power
“These are states that treat labor laws not just as technical policy, but as tools for economic fairness,” said a spokesperson for Injured in Florida. “High wages, strong legal protections, and paid leave aren’t just perks; they’re safeguards against poverty, burnout, and injustice in the workplace.”
Top States for Employee Rights (Score out of 100):
| Rank | State | Score | Minimum Wage | Right-to-Work | Paid Leave |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 83.49 | $15.00 | No | Yes |
| 2 | Connecticut | 82.46 | $15.69 | No | Yes |
| 3 | New Jersey | 82.06 | $15.13 | No | Yes |
| 4 | Washington | 81.45 | $16.28 | No | Yes |
| 5 | California | 80.95 | $16.00 | No | Yes |
On the opposite end of the spectrum are states with the fewest protections for workers—many of which have not raised their minimum wage above the federal level, offer no paid leave, and have some of the highest rates of workplace fatalities.
Wyoming ranked last, with a score of just 11.06 out of 100. It has the highest fatality rate in the country (16 deaths per 100,000 workers), and its minimum wage remains stuck at $7.25/hour. Mississippi and Texas rounded out the bottom three, with scores of 11.99 and 13.40, respectively.
“States at the bottom of the list tend to have outdated labor policies that no longer reflect the realities of modern work,” the spokesperson said. “Long hours, low pay, and weak legal protections are a dangerous mix, and they’re completely avoidable.”
Bottom States for Employee Rights (Score out of 100):
| Rank | State | Score | Minimum Wage | Right-to-Work | Paid Leave |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Wyoming | 11.06 | $7.25 | Yes | No |
| 49 | Mississippi | 11.99 | $7.25 | Yes | No |
| 48 | Texas | 13.40 | $7.25 | Yes | No |
| 47 | Oklahoma | 13.93 | $7.25 | Yes | No |
| 46 | Idaho | 13.97 | $7.25 | Yes | No |
The study also tracked unionization levels, showing that states with higher worker scores often have higher rates of union membership. For example, Hawaii, while not in the top five overall, had the highest unionization rate at 27%. Meanwhile, North Carolina, one of the most anti-union states, had the lowest at just 2%.
Key takeaway? Geography matters. In many states, especially across the South and rural West, workers are subject to the bare minimum protections allowed by federal law. Meanwhile, workers in states like New York or California may have access to a suite of rights that improve quality of life and economic mobility.
“We hope this study empowers workers to know their rights, and pushes state lawmakers to raise the bar,” the spokesperson added. “At the end of the day, safe, fair, and dignified workplaces benefit everyone: employees, employers, and the economy at large.”
